Surface masking shield for painters



March 16, 1954 KUPEC E 2,672,122

SURFACE MASKING SHIELD FOR PAINTERS Filed Aug. 4, 1952 Fig. 7

Emil J. Kupec Walter M. Wisner JNVENTORS. Fig, 4 Fig.6 34

Patented Mar. 16, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC 2,672,122 I SURFA CE'MAS KING SHIELD PAINTERS Emil J. Rupee, (L'liioa'g'o, and 'Walter M. Wisner,

Elmwood Park,

Application August '4, 1952, Serial No. 302,456 1 Claim. (Q 1. 118*505 The present invention relates to improved ways and means whereby limited surfaces are tempm rarity covered by way of novel masking means and thus isolated from adjacent surfaces in order that the isolated surfaces will not be splashed or smeared while paint is being brushed 'oi' sprayed on the surfaces which are to be painted.

It is a matter of common knowledge that soealled painters guides and protective masking shields are not new. It will be evident, therefore, that the instant endeavor has to do with an improved and more practical solution or the problem of painting desired surfaces with requisite nicety and finesse while maintaining allied surfaces acceptably clean.

Another object of the invention appertains to surface covering and inaski 'g means for use by painters and others comprising, in combin'atior'i,

a plurality -of individual coplanar surtao'e covaxing shields having mating end portions abutting one another so that said shields combine uninterruptedly in protecting a 'sui 'face of needed areal extent, and means =-eoo erab1e with each shield whereby it is detachably and temporarily applied to the covered surface.

A further object has to do with the aforementioned combination of components wherein at least two shields are involved, these having abutting ends which are mitered so that the shields are susceptible of being placed in juxtaposed relation while at right angles to each other.

More explicity, an important object of the invention is to provide a painters masking shield which takes the form of a. thin pliable blade or slat which may be of commercial plastics or aluminum or the like, similar to a louver or slat in a Venetian blind, the blade being of any length desired from two to thirty inches, having a straight longitudinal edge to contact an adjacent work surface, having transverse ends of varying angularities and shapes, the slat being applied in a slanting position and temporarily held there by a rubber vacuum cup which is preferably detachably mounted on the slat.

An object in addition to those mentioned above has to do with a shield in the form of a substantially rectangular slat having a straight longitudinal edge to abut a work surface, the opposite longitudinal edge having a keeper notch therein, said notch opening through said edge and being situated centrally in respect to the transverse ends of said slat, a knob having a screw-threaded stud, the latter removably seated in said notch and situating said knob above said slat, and a vacuum cup having a screw-threaded socket 2 thread'edly joined to said stud, said cup being located beneath the slat and the latter being clamped between the cup and knob when the latter is fully tightened.

other objects, features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the follow- 'ing description and the accompanying sheet of drawings.

in the accompanying sheet of drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the views:

Figure '1 is a perspective view showing a fragmentary portion of a Wihd'W construction and illustrating how two anti-splash masking shields are employed, these being constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Figure '2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken approximately on the plane of the line 2-2 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 3 is a plan splash masking shields;

Figure 4 is a cross-section on the line 1-4 of Figure '3, looking in the direction of the arrows, with the knob in place;

Figure 5 is likewise a plan view similar to Figure 3 showing a variation in the transverse ends of the shield wherein said ends are mitered or substantially oblique;

Figure 6 is a transverse section on the line 6-6 of Figure 5 which view brings out the transverse curvature or concavo-convex dial of the blade or slat; and,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan view showing the keeper notch.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a modification wherein the handle-- forming knob is eliminated and the suction cup is permanently riveted to the anti-splash masking shield, the latter being fragmentarily shown.

It will be understood that the invention has to do with the shield singly and collectively; that the shields are to be used in various ways in association with wall surfaces, door and window trim, and, as shown in Figure 1, in conjunction with window panes and associated frame members and mullions.

In- Figures 1 and 2 the window sash is denoted by the numeral IO and the vertical and horizontal mullions by the numerals l2 and I4 while the window panes are denoted by the numeral l6.

To simplify the description, reference is made first to Figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 wherein each antisplash or masking shield is denoted by the nuview of one of the antimeral l8. The shield takes the form of a flexibly resilient blade or slat of appropriate material. Obviously the blade is thin in cross-section and is generally rectangular in plan. In these figures the blade is shown to be flat. One longitudinal edge 29 is linearly straight to intimately contact the mullions or other work surface in the manner shown in Figures 1 and 2. The opposite longitudinal edge 22 is also straight but may be of some other form and the transverse ends 24-24 are straight and at right angles to the edges 20 and 22 with the intervening portions obliquely out as at 26-46. The edge 22 is provided with a keeper. notch 28 which opens through the edge in the manner shown in Figure '7. This may be broadly referred to as "aperture means inasmuch as it is within the purview of the invention to employ either a round hole or notch. The rubber vacuum cup which is the preferable form of attaching means is denoted by the numeral 39 and it is of suitable size and as best shown in Figure 2, it is provided in its crown portion with a screw-threaded socket 32 to accommodate a screw-threaded stud 34 carried by and projecting from the handling knob 36. The socket i lined up with the keeper notch as is obvious and the stud extends through the notch and when the stud is tightened in the socket, the vacuum cup and knob, as an assembly, become attached to the blade. This construction renders the handle-equipped attaching means readily attachable and detachable.

The blades are used either singly or collectively and they are shown paired in the application appearing in Figure 1 where the mitered ends abut each other and permit the blades to assume positions at right angles to each other.

In the modification seen in Figures and. 6, the construction is the same except that the blade instead of being flat is transversely curved or 40 concavo-convex as better shown in Figure 6. The transverse ends are mitered as at 38-38. Otherwise the structural features are the same as already described and therefor the same reference numerals are employed throughout the views.

. an equivalent fastening It will be understood that the blades will vary in marginal outline and dimensions.

Reference is had now to the modification depicted in Figure 8. By way of introduction to this figure, it is to be explained that there are instances where a projecting knob may constitute an obstruction to certain painting requirements. Therefore, there are instances where the handle-forming knob may well be omitted. In the modification disclosed, the stated knob is left off completely and the vacuum or suction cup 49 is attached directly and positively to the anti-splash masking shield 42. More specifically, the neck 44 of the cup is secured by a rivet or 46 directly to the blade or shield, and the head of the rivet is essentially flush with the surface of the shield.

It is believed that the description taken in conjunction with the drawings will b sufiicient to clarify details of construction and use.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as newis:

For use in temporarily covering and thus masking a limited wall or window pane surface while applying paint with a brush or a spray gun, a masking shield elongated in plan, and attaching and retaining means carried by said shield, said means embodying a rubber vacuum cup, said shield comprising a thin flexible slat, the latter being generally rectangular in plan, concavoconvex in it transverse dimension and having its transverse ends mitered.

EMIL J. KUPEC. WALTER M. WISNER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 695,965 Taylor et a1. Mar. 25, 1902 804,569 Watson Nov. 14, 1905 2,045,597 Haug June 30, 936 2,126,501 Puderbaugh Aug, 9, 1938 2,290,472 Hendrick July 21, 1942 ,482,977 Hendrick Sept. 27, 1949 

